Two councilmen, mayor up for re-election in November

Talk about it

WORTHINGTON — The races for city office are not too crowded this year, with two candidates each vying for Ward 2 Alderman and mayor, and incumbent alderman Ron Wood running unopposed for re-election.

Two-term incumbent Mayor Alan Oberloh is facing Carol Culver, a former chairwoman of the Worthington Housing and Redevelopment Authority board. Former councilman Roger Nelson is challenging Mike Kuhle’s re-election bid for the seat of Alderman Second Ward on the city council.

Ron Wood, who has served as a First Ward Alderman since 2006, is running unopposed for re-election to that position. All positions are four-year terms.

The Daily Globe asked candidates to describe their education, work experience and reasons for filing for election, as well as answer the following question: What do you view as the most important issue facing the city of Worthington and how would you address it? Candidate responses were limited to 450 words total; responses were edited only for grammar and punctuation.

Below, candidates make their cases.

Alan Oberloh

Address: 1630 South Shore Drive, 35 years in Worthington

Education/work experience: Worthington High School, Jackson Area Technical Institute (now Minnesota West Community and Technical College), business owner for 27 years. Previously served on the Worthington Area Chamber of Commerce board, Planning and Zoning board, District 518 Board of Education, as well as several other local committees.

Why running: Currently serving as mayor, ran to serve the community with common sense and conservative values with a desire to keep Worthington progressing strongly into the future.

Most important issue: That is a tough question since many things are important and of equal value to the community. Having said that, I believe that it is very important for us to work to maintain a strong tax base assisting in business and residential growth, by doing this it allows us the ability to control property tax increases and maintain a higher level of city services.

We can address this by working with interested individuals and business to assist them in any way possible through programs available through the State of Minnesota (Department of Employment and Economic Development) and several other programs that are available.

We are currently exploring options to assist in housing projects, which may or may not include local participation through a newly established ad hoc group.

Carol Culver

Address: 1519 Okabena St. No. 1, raised and educated in Worthington; after 25 years away, moved back in 1995.

Education/work experience: My experience in the work force has included Martin Marietta Data Systems in Denver; General Dynamics in Pomona and San Diego, Calif.; Lockheed Aeronautical Systems in Burbank, Calif. I was nominated and approved by the city council for membership on the Worthington Housing and Redevelopment Authority board and served two five-year terms and was elected by my peers as chairman of that board.

Candidate’s statement: According to the city charter, “The Mayor shall be a member of the City Council and shall preside at all City Council meetings, but shall have no vote except in case of a tie; and he shall not have the veto power. He shall be recognized as head of the City for all ceremonial purposes and for the purpose of martial law. He shall be the chief executive officer of the City and shall sign all resolutions, ordinances, bonds and contracts on behalf of the City except as otherwise provided herein.”

I am a candidate for mayor of Worthington because in this day and time in our country, I don’t feel any incumbent should run unopposed. It’s bad enough if you don’t like the current office holder, but you should have a choice without a write-in. I don’t claim to be any better or worse, I just want to offer the public a choice.

I think the citizens of Worthington deserve to be heard. As an example, when the city wanted to widen Okabena Street by cutting down a whole lot of trees and eliminate any perceived congestion, I pointed out that there are three discreet areas where children congregate to play and that slower traffic was safer traffic, and that the trees they would be cutting down would have to be replaced somehow, and that if they insisted on widening the street, it would be better to widen it to the south where there were less trees involved.

The result was that no trees were cut down, the street was not widened and it saved the residents and the city a whole lot of money.

We have to be able to “think out outside the box.” Worthington is not without imagination. It seems sometimes the city council appears to ask for discussion on topics and then does what it intended without regard. I realize that much “Monday morning quarterbacking” goes on at coffee shops and other gathering places. These are the voices that should be heard at the city council level. They are elected to represent the populace. I’ve got time, I will listen.

Mike Kuhle

Address: 414 Sundown Drive, 33 years in Worthington

Education/work experience: Howard High School 1972, Pipestone Vocational School 1974, JC Penny from 1974 to 1977, Davis Typewriter Co. (now Marco Inc.) 1977 to present.

Candidate’s statement: As a city alderman, I enjoy representing the residents of Worthington and applying a common-sense approach to developing a better community. Difficult and emotional decisions these past four years have made Worthington a stronger community.

I feel my biggest attribute these past four years has been my work on the Planning and Zoning Committee. Our committee, through common sense and compromise, has helped citizens with their updates and improvements to buildings and lots in the Worthington community. The hard work of this committee gives the mayor and city council beneficial information to improve the value of life in Worthington.

Over the recent years, our city council has developed a unified effort to address difficult issues in the community. Together, through hard work and compromise, our city council has helped to form a better integrated community.

I would like to thank the residents of Worthington for their support over the past four years. Some of the issues and decisions have been tough but at the end of the day, I sincerely believe Worthington has moved forward. Our city’s future will be a changing environment and I want to be a part of this future with your support and vote.

Roger E. Nelson

Address: 602 W. Lake Ave., 28 years in Worthington

Education/work experience: graduated from Spencer (Iowa) High School; worked in glass business all my adult life, owned and operated a successful business, Worthington Glass Inc., for 25 years.

Why running: I want to be part of the decision-making process to lead our city into the future. Having been in many leadership and management positions, and on the city council for 11 years, I have a great deal of understanding of government and what it takes to move our city forward.

Most important issue: Balancing the budget and yet moving forward with economic development. We must look at the priorities of replacing our aging infrastructure while cutting expenses, without impacting property taxes.

Tags: city council, alan oberloh, carol culver, mike kuhle, roger e. nelson, news, mayor, election, elections, oberloh, culver, kuhle, nelson